Deputy Commissioner Charlie Pugsley, the Brigade’s outgoing Director of Prevention, Protection, and Operational Policy, marked his final roll call this morning at Dowgate Fire Station (Thursday 25 September), closing the chapter on nearly 30 years of distinguished service.
Charlie’s retirement looks set to be as busy as life in the Brigade, as he leaves to take up a new post as Interim Chief Executive Officer of the Building Safety Regulator (BSR) next month. Reflecting on this new chapter, Charlie said: “I’m fortunate to join the Building Safety Regulator and take on this role, where I hope to continue my passion for building safety, working with great people and remembering the duty we owe to those who lost their lives at the Grenfell Tower fire.”
Charlie joined London Fire Brigade in February 1996 starting out at Bow, Shoreditch, Stratford, and Peckham fire stations before joining the Fire Investigation team based at New Cross and then Dowgate fire stations. Since 2005, Charlie has played a pivotal role in investigating many of London’s most significant fires, including serving as the on-site forensic fire investigation lead in the aftermath of the Grenfell Tower fire.
Among the major incidents he led as the Brigade’s Fire Investigation Manager, was the 2015 Kingsway tunnel fire. It was a complex incident caused by an electrical fault in the Victorian tunnels, which also damaged an eight-inch gas main that ruptured and fuelled the blaze. Charlie has also been involved in some of the most high-profile incidents on the ground, such as Storm Eunice and the devastating wildfires that swept across London in the summer of 2022. One particularly notable incident where he was the incident commander, was a boat fire in Greenwich which resulted in cylinders exploding.
“It was a disused minesweeper moored on a central London creek, converted into a floating living and work art space,” Charlie recalled. “Thankfully, no one was seriously injured, but it was certainly one of the most challenging incidents I’ve encountered as a firefighter. The incident really encapsulates the job - all sorts of things can crop up at any given moment in the emergency services. You don’t live an ‘ordinary life’ in this role.”
Spearheading the campaign for regulatory reform
Throughout his career, Charlie has been a driving force behind transformative changes in fire safety - locally, nationally, and internationally. Most recently, he has spearheaded the campaign for regulatory reform addressing the growing fire risks posed by lithium batteries in e-bikes and e-scooters. As the National Fire Chiefs Council’s lead officer for Electrical Safety and Fire Investigation, Charlie has championed campaigns that have saved lives and protected homes.
Deputy Commissioner Charlie Pugsley said: “I’m incredibly proud of the work we’ve done at London Fire Brigade. Our #Chargesafe campaign, launched in response to a surge in serious fires involving e-bikes and e-scooters, has been a true team effort across the Brigade. Since 2017, I’ve also been able to work with a range of excellent and inspirational fire safety professionals, fire engineers and experts across different sectors, all seeking to reduce the fire safety risks in buildings. This has also involved working with communities and residents most affected by serious fire safety issues, many of whom have faced real challenges on a daily basis.”
Following a five-fold increase in fires involving plastic fuse boards from 2009 to 2014, Charlie’s proactive work was instrumental in improving safety standards. His work culminated in new rules that meant units had to be made of a non-combustible material such as metal.
“Time and again, I’ve witnessed staff bravery, empathy, and an unwavering commitment to keeping communities safe” Charlie reflected. “Being part of the London Fire Brigade family for nearly 30 years has been a privilege. There have been highs and lows but serving the emergency services for London, it truly is the best job in the world. You finish a shift knowing you’ve made a difference and helped people. That’s the very best in job satisfaction.”
'His expertise has shaped the Brigade's work'
London Fire Commissioner Jonathan Smith paid tribute to Charlie’s legacy: “Charlie is the consummate professional. His expertise has shaped the Brigade’s work across Fire Investigation, Prevention and Protection, and most recently in his leadership role as Deputy Commissioner. He’s deeply respected, and while we’ll miss him, we know he’ll thrive in his new position. We wish him every success.”